Linux Driver Install Readme (English how-to)

Product: AM.CO.ZA Blue USB to Serial COM Converter Cable (Other-Softwares). No prices.
Local: T:\U\C\Other-Softwares\AM.CO.ZA Blue USB to Serial COM Converter Cable\Linux Driver Install Readme.txt (1223 bytes, MD5 4679B3B62390F5B9D9F7DF3B3F1001C2).
Live: https://cncu.co.za/Other-Softwares/AM.CO.ZA%20Blue%20USB%20to%20Serial%20COM%20Converter%20Cable/Linux%20Driver%20Install%20Readme.txt HEAD 200, Content-Length 1223 (2026-08-14T03:05:29Z; re-read 2026-10-19, same MD5).
Copied: T:\V\sources\manuals\usb-serial\Linux Driver Install Readme.txt

What this readme is

A short English FTDI readme for building and loading the ftdi_sio USB-to-serial kernel module by hand on Linux. The blue AM.CO.ZA USB to Serial COM converter cable uses an FTDI chip, so this is the Linux counterpart of the Windows CDM driver package in the same cncu folder (see FTDI CDM Drivers revision comments).

The readme was written for the old 2.4.32 kernel. Current Linux kernels already include the ftdi_sio driver, so on a modern distribution the cable normally shows up as a serial port (typically /dev/ttyUSB0) as soon as it is plugged in, with nothing to build. Use the manual procedure below only on a legacy system that lacks the driver or needs the adapted 2232C build.

Before you start

The readme says you may need the kernel sources matching your running kernel installed (and built) on the machine. It says many websites cover that step and that it is less daunting than it looks, and it suggests http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=2949&page=2 as a first step "if the link is still available" (the link is quoted from the source and was not re-checked).

Install steps (as given in the source)

Create a temporary folder on the Linux machine.
Extract ftdi_sio.tar.gz into that folder:
- gunzip ftdi_sio.tar.gz
- tar -xvf ftdi_sio.tar
Build the driver: make
Plug in the FTDI device (the USB to Serial cable).
Check whether a default driver was loaded: lsmod (you will see ftdi_sio in the list if one is loaded).
Remove the default installed driver: rmmod ftdi_sio
Install the newly built driver: insmod ftdi_sio.o

Notes from the source

This driver was adapted from the 2.4.32 kernel to support both the FT2232C and FT232R chips.
You do not need this procedure just for FT232R support: the existing 232BM driver is enough. The FT232R changes are cosmetic only (plug and unplug events show as a 232R chip in the kernel log).

Quick troubleshooting

After plugging in, the kernel log (dmesg) should show an FTDI converter attached to a ttyUSB port; use that port name in the machine software.
If rmmod ftdi_sio fails, close any program that has the serial port open, then try again.
If make fails, the matching kernel sources or headers are usually missing (see "Before you start").
On Windows, use the FTDI CDM driver instead (VCP gives a virtual COM port); see the CDM release notes linked below.

Files in the product folder

Product folder live HEAD 200 (Content-Length 18527): https://cncu.co.za/Other-Softwares/AM.CO.ZA%20Blue%20USB%20to%20Serial%20COM%20Converter%20Cable/
Other-Softwares root live HEAD 200 (Content-Length 31638): https://cncu.co.za/Other-Softwares/

The Chinese User manual.pdf (FTClean uninstall, USB20 驱动程序卸载说明) is skipped. Driver binaries are URL-only (not copied). This page is distinct from the V-Auto FTDI URL notes.